Commercial Diplomacy is U.S. Government action to protect U.S. commercial interests abroad. It can:

address foreign regulatory trade barriers and policies;

ensure compliance with bilateral and multilateral trade agreements;

create or improve market opportunities by advocating the U.S. interest in adherence to internationally accepted norms for government procurement by foreign governments; and

eliminate or reduce a threat to U.S. business interests.

The commercial diplomacy issues may be initiated by requests for advocacy support from U.S. companies or trade associations or initiated by the U.S. Commercial Service itself and other federal government entities.